Lighted child&#39;s snowshoe

ABSTRACT

A snowshoe including a unitary molded polymer deck having a bottom surface defining a toe portion and a heel portion. The toe portion is divided from the heel portion. A toe panel together with the toe portion defines a generally enclosed space into which a lighting module including a battery, a switch; electrical leads and at least one electrically illuminated light source. The light module is substantially contained in the enclosed space and the at least one electrically illuminated light source is located in at least one light source pocket that passes through a portion of the unitary molded polymer deck such that the electrically illuminated light source is visible from above the deck. The switch selectively completes a circuit between the battery and the electrically illuminated light source upon actuation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to snowshoes. More particularly, the invention relates to snowshoes especially designed to be worn by young children.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that young children enjoy participating in adult activities with their parents and other family members to the extent that they are capable to appropriately participate. One outdoor activity that is appealing to young children is that of snowshoeing. Because of young children's light weight and their less developed physical skills, snowshoes for very young children are made differently from snowshoes for adults or older children. In particular, the snowshoes can be smaller because of the lower weight of the children and, quite often, they are made in such a way to provide additional entertainment value to the children. Snowshoes that are made in a form to resemble animal tracks are known and are produced by the owners of the present patent application.

During the winter, days are shorter and more of the hours when one might engage in outdoor recreation with children are during darkness. It is also well known that some children have a certain degree of fear of darkness but are less fearful in the presence of some sort artificial illumination.

However, presently available children's snowshoes that are molded from plastic leave room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A lighted child's snowshoe, according to an example embodiment of the invention, generally includes a deck, a toe panel, a lighting module and a snowshoe binding. The deck may be shaped to generally resemble an animal track or foot. The lighting module includes at least one electrically illuminated light source such as an LED.

The deck according to an example embodiment of the invention generally includes a toe portion and a heel portion, each having a top and a bottom.

When viewed from above, the lighted child's snowshoe generally includes footbed and a paw portion. The footbed is centrally located and has a generally oval shape, somewhat wider at the front of the snowshoe than at the rear of the snowshoe. The footbed presents binding mount holes and heel grips thereon.

The paw portion extends generally outward from the footbed to some degree in all directions and presents an extended heel, side extensions and forward extending toes. Extending forwardly, outwardly from the toes are claws and claw reinforcements.

According to an example embodiment, claws include a first claw, a second claw, a third claw and a fourth claw. Each claw presents a light emitting diode, (LED) pocket. Claw reinforcements extend outwardly on each side of each claw and extend back to each respective toe. The paw portion also presents toe ovals including a first toe oval, a second toe oval, a third toe oval and a fourth toe oval.

When viewed from the bottom, the deck generally presents a toe portion and a heel portion.

The bottom of the toe portion generally presents a light module enclosure, a longitudinal rib, a transverse rib and a surrounding toe perimeter wall.

When viewed from the bottom, the heel portion generally presents the footbed wall and the heel perimeter wall. The footbed wall further includes footbed wall pegs extending downwardly therefrom. The heel perimeter wall generally presents heel perimeter wall pegs extending downwardly therefrom.

The toe panel is a generally flat structure that is securable to the toe portion of the bottom side of the snowshoe deck. The toe panel, when placed together with the toe portion of the bottom of the main deck, bounds an enclosure. The toe panel generally includes a plate presenting toe grips including first toe grip, second toe grip, third toe grip and a fourth toe grip. The toe grips are presented on an outer side of the plate. The inner side of the plate presents LED supports including a first LED support, a second LED support, a third LED support and a fourth LED support. The inner surface of the toe panel also presents engagement members.

The present invention also includes a lighting module including a battery, an impact activated switch or pressure activated switch, LEDs and leads. The LED's according to an example embodiment of the invention includes four LEDs, for example, including a first red LED, a blue LED, a green LED and a second red LED. According to the present example embodiment of the invention, the lighting module also includes long leads, short leads and continuity leads. Long leads in this example embodiment extend to the first and second red LED's while the short leads extend to blue and green LEDs. Continuity leads are of unequal lengths and have a small portion of stripped wire at the end and are present to prevent continuity of the lighting module until it is installed in the snowshoe to prevent depletion of the battery prior to sale. The continuity leads are coupled and insulated during final assembly.

The binding of the snowshoe according to the invention, is a generally conventional binding having a toe pocket, in step strap and a heel strap. The binding may also include a flex joint built therein and two screws for mounting.

The toe panel may be coupled to the deck by, for example, a screw or by ultrasonic welding. The toe panel and the deck may be formed by injection molding or other molding techniques as well as other techniques known to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a right snowshoe deck according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the right snowshoe deck of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the right snowshoe deck according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the right snowshoe deck taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a left snowshoe deck according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the left snowshoe deck of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a snowshoe deck according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a toe panel for a snowshoe according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the toe panel of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the toe panel according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the toe panel according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional of the toe panel taken along section line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the toe panel according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a lighting module according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the lighting module of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of snowshoe and binding according to an example embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Child's lighted snowshoe 30 according to an example embodiment of the invention, depicted in FIGS. 1-16, generally includes deck 32, toe panel 34, lighting module 36 and snowshoe binding 38. Deck 32 and toe panel 34 may each be formed of a molded polymer as a unitary piece such as by injection molding. A molded polymer may for example include polypropylene or talc filled polypropylene. Other polymer materials may be utilized as well. Snowshoe binding 38 may be formed for example from injection molded polyurethane. Other appropriate polymers may be utilized as well. In addition, snowshoe binding 38 may include any sort of known snowshoe binding or any snowshoe binding to become known in the future.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, deck 32 generally includes deck top 40 and deck bottom 42. When viewed from above, deck top 40 generally presents footbed 44 and peripheral portion 46.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, footbed 44 according to the depicted example embodiment, is generally oval or racetrack shaped and presents wider front portion 48 and narrower rear portion 50. Footbed perimeter 52 generally demarks a separation between footbed 44 and peripheral portion 46 of deck 32.

Footbed 44 further presents lower front portion 54 and raised rear portion 56. Lower front portion 54 is recessed relatively below peripheral portion 46. Raised rear portion 56, according to the depicted example embodiment, is elevated relative to peripheral portion 46. This relationship can be seen particularly in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6.

Footbed 44 also generally presents binding mounting holes 58 and heel grips 60. Binding mounting holes 58, according to the example embodiment, are located within wider front portion 48 which coincides generally with lower front portion 54. Referring particularly to FIG. 5, binding mounting holes 58 may be angled relative to perpendicular 62 of central line axis 64. Accordingly, inboard mounting hole 66 is located behind outboard mounting hole 68.

Heel grips 60, in the depicted embodiment, are generally conical in shape. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will be aware that heel grips 60 can be made in many shapes. In the depicted embodiment, heel grips 60 are ten in number. However, different numbers of heel grips 60 may be used as well. According to the depicted embodiment, heel grips 60 include four center line heel grips 70, four rear lateral heel grips 72 and two forward lateral heel grips 74. Other arrangement of heel grips 60 may be utilized as well.

Peripheral portion 46 generally includes extended heel portion 76, side extensions 78 and forward extending toe portion 80. Extended heel 76 extends generally rearward relative to footbed 44.

Side extension portions 78 include inboard side extension 82 and outboard side extension 84. In the depicted embodiment, inboard extension 82 is generally a mirror image of outboard extension 84. However, inboard side extension 82 may be asymmetrical relative to outboard extension 84.

Forward extending toe portion 80 extends generally forward from footbed 44 and generally presents toes 86, claws 88 and claw reinforcements 90. Claws 88 extend generally forwardly of toes 86 and include first claw 92, second claw 94, third claw 96 and fourth claw 98. Each of claws 88 presents light emitting diode pocket 100. Each of claws 88 is bracketed on each side thereof by claw reinforcements 90.

Claw reinforcements 90 include inboard claw reinforcement 102 and outboard reinforcement 104 positioned inboard and outboard relative to claws 88.

Forward extending toe portion 80 further presents toe ovals 106. Toe ovals 106 generally include first toe oval 108, second toe oval 110, third toe oval 112 and fourth toe oval 114 and are raised relative to surrounding portions of deck 32.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 7, when viewed from below, deck bottom 42 generally presents toe portion 116 and heel portion 118.

Toe portion 116 is generally divided from heel portion 118 at the location of transverse rib 120. Toe portion 116 further generally presents light module enclosure 122, longitudinal rib 124 and toe perimeter wall 126. Longitudinal rib 124 in the depicted embodiment extends generally from light module enclosure 122 to transverse rib 120.

In the depicted embodiment, light module enclosure 122 generally includes rear wall 128, side walls 130 and short front walls 132. Toe portion 116 also presents alignment pegs 134.

Light emitting diode pockets 100 extend into toe portion 116 as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 7. Light emitting diode pockets 100 generally include first LED pocket 136, second LED pocket 138, third LED pocket 140 and fourth LED pocket 142.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 7, heel portion 118 generally presents footbed wall 144 and heel perimeter wall 146 surrounding heel portion 118. Footbed wall 144 is located generally beneath footbed 44. Footbed wall 144 couples to traverse rib 120. Footbed wall 144 also presents footbed wall pegs 148 extending downwardly therefrom. As depicted, footbed wall pegs 148 include rounded extension 150. Footbed wall pegs 148 may take another shape as well.

Heel perimeter wall 146 extends generally around a perimeter of deck 32 behind traverse rib 120. Heel perimeter wall 146 presents heel perimeter pegs 152 extending downwardly therefrom. Heel perimeter pegs 152 as depicted presents rounded extensions 154, though other shapes may be utilized as well.

Referring to particularly to FIGS. 8-13, toe panel 34 is a generally planar structure shaped to conform to toe portion 116. Toe panel 34 generally presents top surface 156 and bottom surface 158.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 9 and 11, top surface 156 of toe panel 34 is bounded by toe panel perimeter wall 160 which is relatively shorter than, for example, toe perimeter wall 126. Toe panel perimeter wall 160 includes four toe panel towers 162 joined thereto. Toe panel towers 162 extend upwardly adjacent to toe panel perimeter wall 160.

Top surface 156 also presents alignment peg receivers 164 and LED supports 166. Alignment peg receivers 164 are positioned to be aligned with and complement alignment pegs 134. LED supports 166 are positioned to align with light emitting diode pockets 100. Led supports 166 are generally c-shaped and define wire passage 168.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 8 and 10, bottom surface 158 of toe panel 34 is generally planar and presents toe grips 170. Toe grips 170, in the depicted embodiment, are generally oval in shape having perimeter wall 172 surrounding recess 174. This shape should not be considered limiting. In the depicted embodiment, toe grips 170 generally include first toe grip 176, second toe grip 178, third toe grip 180 and fourth toe grip 182.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 14 and 15, lighting module 36 generally includes battery box 184, leads 186 and LEDs 188. Battery box 184 is sized and shaped to be received into light module enclosure 122 in close fitting relation to light module enclosure. Leads 186 extend outwardly from battery box 184 and coupled to LEDs 188 in electrically conductive relationship.

Battery box 184 is an enclosure generally containing battery 190 and switch 192 which are schematically depicted. Battery 190 may be any available battery providing sufficient power for operation of LEDs 188 including but not limited to a lithium battery or an alkaline battery.

Switch 192 may include a normally open impact activated switch or pressure activated switch. Switch 192 electrically couples battery 190 to leads 186 of LEDs 188.

Leads 186 as depicted, generally include two short leads 194, two long leads 196 and continuity leads 198. LEDs 188 are sized to be received into light emitting diode pockets 100. According to an example embodiment of the invention, LEDs 188 include two red LEDs 188, one blue LED 188 and one green LED 188. In the depicted embodiment, red LEDs 188 are coupled to long leads 196. Blue LEDs 188 and green LEDs 188 are coupled to short leads 194. Continuity leads 198 are of unequal length and include a short stripped area 200 near the ends thereof.

Referring to FIG. 16, binding 38 is generally conventional in nature and can be any binding presently known to those of ordinary skill in the art or any binding to become known in the future.

In operation, prior to sale and use, child's lighted snowshoe 30 is assembled by inserting lighting module 36 into deck 32 and securing toe panel 34 to deck 32.

Toe panel 34 is aligned with toe portion 116. Prior to securing toe panel 34 to deck 32, lighting module 36 is inserted so that battery box 184 is positioned snuggly inside light module enclosure 22 with leads 186 extending outwardly through the gap between short front walls 132. LEDs 188 are inserted into light emitting diode pockets 100. LEDs 188 at the end of long leads 196 are inserted into first LED pocket and fourth LED pocket. LEDs 188 at the end of short leads 194 are inserted into second LED pocket 138 and third LED pocket 140. Stripped areas 200 of continuity leads 198 are electrically joined and may be sealed in an insulator if desired. Accordingly, switch 192, when activated, electrically couples battery 190 to LEDs 188 thus, causing illumination of LEDs 188.

Thereafter, toe panel 34 is aligned with toe portion 116, so that alignment pegs 134 are received into alignment peg receivers 164. Leads 186 are arranged to pass through wire passages 168 and LED supports 166. Toe panel towers 162 are received within and adjacent to toe perimeter wall 126. Toe panel 134 may then be secured to deck 32 by, for example, a screw or screws or ultrasonic welding. Generally, for smaller volume manufacturing production, a screw is more appropriate. For larger volume production, ultrasonic welding may be utilized.

Snowshoe binding 38 is secured to deck 32 at binding mounting holes 58 generally by fasteners such as bolts and nuts.

In use, child's lighted snowshoe 30 is secured to the footwear of the child by the application of snowshoe binding 38 to the child's footwear. When the child walks or runs in child's lighted snowshoe 30, switch 192 is actuated by pressure or impact thus completing the circuit between battery 190 and LEDs 188 illuminating LEDs 188. Accordingly, child's lighted snowshoe 30 provides comforting illumination of the child as well as a certain degree of entertainment. Further, the presence of lighted LEDs 188 permits a parent or guardian to keep visual contact with the child during low illumination conditions. Further, because of the shape of child's lighted snowshoe which resembles an animal track, a child may be entertained by the fact that the tracks left behind in the snow look unusual and provide an opportunity for creative play with the tracks.

Heel grips 60 engage to a heel of the child's footwear to inhibit slippage of the heel relative to footbed 44 when the child's weight is on the heel. Footbed wall pegs 148, heel perimeter pegs 152 and toe grips 170 act as crampons to inhibit slippage of child's lighted snowshoe 30 relative of surfaces snowshoed on while being safe for young children in that the lack sharp edges. Footbed wall 144 and heel perimeter wall 146 sink into and engage snow and other formable materials to inhibit slippage of child's lighted snowshoe 30 relative to snow and the other formable materials.

While child's lighted snowshoe 30 has been described with reference to a snowshoe deck 32 resembles an animal track, it should be understood that should not be considered limiting. The shape of deck 32 may take other forms.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the essential attributes thereof; therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. 

1. A snowshoe comprising: a unitary molded polymer deck having a bottom surface defining a toe portion and a heel portion, the toe portion being divided from the heel portion a toe panel which together with the toe portion defines a generally enclosed space; a lighting module including a battery, a switch; electrical leads and at least one electrically illuminated light source, the light module being substantially contained in the enclosed space, the at least one electrically illuminated light source being located in at least one light source pocket that passes through a portion of the unitary molded polymer deck such that the electrically illuminated light source is visible from above the deck; and the switch selectively completing a circuit between the battery and the electrically illuminated light source upon actuation.
 2. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unitary molded polymer deck, comprises a molded footbed and a surrounding peripheral portion extending outwardly away from the footbed.
 3. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein footbed comprises a lower front portion and a raised rear portion, the lower front portion being recessed relative to the surrounding peripheral portion and the raised rear portion being elevated relative to the surrounding peripheral portion.
 4. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein the surrounding peripheral portion generally has the form of an animal track comprising toes and claws.
 5. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one light source pocket is located in at least one of the claws.
 6. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a footbed wall, a toe perimeter wall and a heel perimeter wall.
 7. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 6, wherein the footbed wall and the heel perimeter wall each comprise pegs integrally molded therein and extending downwardly therefrom.
 8. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toe panel further comprises toe grips integrally molded therein and extending downwardly therefrom.
 9. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is actuated by pressure or by impact.
 10. The snowshoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one electrically illuminated light source comprises four light emitting diodes and wherein the polymer deck comprises four claws and each of the four light emitting diodes is located in one of the four claws.
 11. A method of making a snowshoe deck, comprising: inserting a lighting module including a battery, a switch; electrical leads and at least one electrically illuminated light source into a toe portion of a unitary molded polymer deck having a bottom surface defining the toe portion and a heel portion, the toe portion being divided from the heel portion; positioning the at least one electrically illuminated light source in at least one light source pocket that passes through a portion of the unitary molded polymer deck such that the electrically illuminated light source is visible from above the deck; and securing a toe panel to the toe portion thereby enclosing at least the battery, the switch and the electrical leads in a generally enclosed space bounded by the toe panel and the toe portion.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising inserting a battery box of the lighting module into a light module enclosure within the generally enclosed space.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising securing the toe panel to the toe portion by application of a fastener.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising securing the toe panel to the toe portion by ultrasonic welding.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising selecting the switch to comprise a pressure actuated switch or an impact actuated switch.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising aligning a longitudinal rib and a toe perimeter wall of the toe portion with a perimeter wall of the toe panel.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising aligning alignment pegs of one of the toe portion or the toe panel with alignment peg receivers of the other of the toe portion or the toe panel. 